Rev. Robert Trapani, just went home to be with the

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Is this Huey Rose's father in law?

Yes, Hugh Rose Jr married Julia Trapani.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by CC1

NotforSale,

Can you tell us what happened to his two sons? Also a short bio of this man. I have heard his name for many years but can't quite place him.

I'm not sure how RT came into OP but I grew up in OH and he was a fixture. He taught at youth camps and adult camps for years. He was everybody's favorite. He pastored in the Akron, OH area. He had six children, all of which were outstanding Christians and leaders among their peers. His two sons David and Nathan died within six months of each other. David drowned at a youth camp while counseling at the age of 19. Nathan was playing backyard football with a group of guys and was tackled hard, stood up, collapsed and never recovered. After a short time on life support the family agreed to have remove the artificial means and he died. He was 21. I was about 16-17 years of age when they passed. They really were guys I looked up to and wanted to emulate. It was tragic for everyone, especially the RT family. But they pressed on, continued to live and serve and bless people with their optimism and faith.

RT was a counselor. I don't know what his credentials were or what level of education he achieved, but I know he did a lot of marriage counseling, counseling with pastors and their families. AM had RT come to POA a couple of times a year for weeks of counseling sessions with his congregation. I think other churches used him the same way. He did some marriage seminars at our church and men's retreats and they were unparalleled with anyone else we had ever heard. I remember he inspired me to become an even more committed reader because in a men's retreat he revealed that he read roughly 150 books a years. He was promoting college education among our churches way before preachers in the UPC finally warmed to the idea.

I regret that I only had him come once in the eleven years we've been here. But that one weekend was a highlight. Many folks still remember.

[CC1]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

I'm not sure how RT came into OP but I grew up in OH and he was a fixture. He taught at youth camps and adult camps for years. He was everybody's favorite. He pastored in the Akron, OH area. He had six children, all of which were outstanding Christians and leaders among their peers. His two sons David and Nathan died within six months of each other. David drowned at a youth camp while counseling at the age of 19. Nathan was playing backyard football with a group of guys and was tackled hard, stood up, collapsed and never recovered. After a short time on life support the family agreed to have remove the artificial means and he died. He was 21. I was about 16-17 years of age when they passed. They really were guys I looked up to and wanted to emulate. It was tragic for everyone, especially the RT family. But they pressed on, continued to live and serve and bless people with their optimism and faith.

RT was a counselor. I don't know what his credentials were or what level of education he achieved, but I know he did a lot of marriage counseling, counseling with pastors and their families. AM had RT come to POA a couple of times a year for weeks of counseling sessions with his congregation. I think other churches used him the same way. He did some marriage seminars at our church and men's retreats and they were unparalleled with anyone else we had ever heard. I remember he inspired me to become an even more committed reader because in a men's retreat he revealed that he read roughly 150 books a years. He was promoting college education among our churches way before preachers in the UPC finally warmed to the idea.

I regret that I only had him come once in the eleven years we've been here. But that one weekend was a highlight. Many folks still remember.

Deacon, what a great tribute to this man. I wish I had met him. One thing about him continuing on after the tragedy of losing two of his sons is that in counseling no one could ever tell him he did not understand grief or loss.

[Ferd]

One evening when I had just started preaching, Brother Trapaini asked me what I was reading. I dont remember what it was but we talked about it and then he told me to make sure I read a wide range of authors and to read fiction as well as non-fiction. I think he was at that time listening to Robert Ludlum or some such on tape at the time.

He made sure to tell me that preachers are story tellers, and listening to others and reading other story tellers help hone the craft. That has been with me every since. I read a lot and while I have always been a reader, as a preacher, Brother Trapani put purpose in it for me.

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

One of the kindest, wisest and most genuine Christian leaders. A great Bible teacher. A riveting preacher with a unique way of connecting to his audience. I will forever be grateful for times I had one on one with him, especially when I needed wise counsel.

Two memories of many that stand out: preaching a sermon "Life is not Fair, but God is Just" in my home church. Its been 20 years since he preached it, and I remember it well. The other memory was sitting at a Mexican restaurant with him and a conversation about transparency in ministry that made an impact on me and my approach to speaking and dealing with people and situations in my service to the church. I'm grateful to have known this man! His legacy is vast but primarily realized in his outstanding family who survives him.

He was the first UPC preacher that I noticed was different. They were singing worship choruses long before we were, and we were considered a cutting edge church back in the late 70s and early 80s. His preaching style was conversational and communicative, rather than the frothy, screaming redneck preacher that was the prototype back then. When he preached or taught you could sense the gentleness of Jesus, a shepherd taking care of his sheep, a fatherly, grandfatherly manner. I remember at Campmeeting when the evangelist preached about "Angels Unawares" and how everyone was stirred by the anecdotal stories of angelic encounters claimed by this man. After church Bro T in a very polite yet concerned private conversation pointed out that the sermon, although emotionally moving, was very thin on scripture and really had no substantive point. He didn't say it in an ugly spirit, but was willing to be analytical with me, a young preacher, about the importance of preaching that edifies and points to Jesus and the cross.

I remember another Campmeeting when the evangelist talked about people going to baseball games where there is drinking and smoking and cussing. The preacher said, "If you are in that in environment, you are in FELLOWSHIP WITH SINNERS!" After church, as I passed by, the comment "Isn't that what the Pharisees always accused Jesus of?"

RT was a thinker, he wasn't a party line preacher, he was honest, he was approachable, he was a listener, a reader, a friend to the most influential, powerful personalities in the UPC, but also the friend to the nobodies, the every day, obscure individuals. He was disarming, you felt like you could reveal the deepest secrets of your heart and mind and he wouldn't judge you. Once, when I really needed a mentor and wise advice I called him and he met me halfway between where he lived and I lived for lunch, about an 1 1/2 hour drive for both of us. He spent several hours with me and gave me great counsel. He was always this way. He was interested in you, your thoughts, your feelings, your hopes and dreams, what you were reading, what you were listening to, etc.

I'm happy for him to be able to go on and be with Jesus, his two sons who both died young and to be free from the illnesses that plagued him. I'm very sorry for his dear family and the rest of us, because a true gift to the world is gone.

DB, we definitely knew the same man. Great words.

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by CC1

NotforSale,

Can you tell us what happened to his two sons? Also a short bio of this man. I have heard his name for many years but can't quite place him.

There's much to say about Bro. Trapani. He was a professional and licensed Marriage Counselor and he would travel around the Country and do seminars. He would catch everyone off guard, in a good way, saying things you never really hear from other preachers.

One time, he was preaching about violence in the home between a man and wife. He would act out the parts, with great facial expressions. He told the ladies, "Look, if you enjoy making your husband angry who is born with Testosterone, don't expect this guy who is built for War to just stand there!" It just seemed so unorthodox to say what he did, but people were practically rolling on the ground laughing.

He was never afraid to poke fun at Conservatives, telling them that times have changed. Then he would pick on people in the audience who were "Different", showing the old UPCI elders, which he was, that the change was going on right underneath their noses!! LOL

As some know on this Forum, I've been a pastor for the last 16 years and Bro. Trapani has helped me immensely in dealing with very difficult people. His combination of a Counseling degree and Spiritual experience made him a wealth of a man! I honestly don't believe I have met a better balanced Christian in my 33 years of being in the Apostolic Church.